The once-rivals were seen together on a public stage for the first time since they buried their differences to collaborate in recent by-polls in Uttar Pradesh. Both leaders have indicated that their newfound friendship would extend to another by-poll in UP and also the national polls.

Bitter rivals in Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool and Left leader Sitaram Yechury also exchanged greetings, if only briefly.

"Curious to see what follows," tweeted actor-politician Kamal Haasan, who was also on the crowded stage.

The oath-taking of the Chief Minister and his deputy, Congress leader G Parameshwara, was over in minutes. But it segued into the show that everyone was talking about - a preview of the opposition's mission 2019 to counter Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP, which controls 20 of India's 29 states.

In incredible gestures of friendship, Mayawati and Sonia Gandhi were holding hands throughout

In incredible gestures of friendship, Mayawati and Sonia Gandhi were seen bumping foreheads and then chatting, holding hands throughout. Congress president Rahul Gandhi also stood by his mother Sonia and joined in the conversation.

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Mayawati and Mamata Banerjee embraced and posed for the panoramic photo-op of all opposition leaders. In the same photo, Sonia Gandhi was next to Sharad Pawar - the man who quit the Congress objecting to her elevation, over her foreign origin.